Carrying case for keys and driver&#39;s license



May 13, 1952 QTTEN 2,596,716

CARRYING CASEFOR KEYS AND DRIVERS LICENSE Filed April 10, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN VEN TOR. jlflvft'wcEF Orr-cw.

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ATTO RNEYS- May 13, 1952 1.. F. OTTEN CARRYING CASE FOR KEYS AND DRIVERS LICENSE Filed April 10, 3.947

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

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Patented May 13, 1952 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARRYING CASE FOR KEYS AND DRIVERS LICENSE Lawrence F. 'Otten, Fort Thomas, Ky. Application April 10, 1947, Serial No. 740,513

I 4 Claims. 1

My application relates to the provision of a carrying case for a set of keys such as those pertaining to an automobile, and which may also be used to hold a drivers license.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a case wherein a plurality of keys may be carried in the smallest possible space and preferably in nested relationship so that the case itself may be made very small and very convenient to carry in the pocket.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a case 'whichmay be operated entirely by one hand, in opening the case, removing'a selected key for use, replacing the key, and closing the case.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a case containing a plurality of keys but acting in one-hand operation to select and present for use that key which has'been chosen as the one most frequently desired for use. In this connection it is also my object to provide a case from which another or a different key may be selected as desired, still in one-hand operation.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a key case, which, while inexpensive, will be decorative and pleasing in appearance.

Yet "another object of the invention is the provision of a case adapted to be left in connection with the keys during periods of use thereof. 7

Ancillary objects include the provision of novel and less bulky means for mounting keys in connection with cases.

'I'hese and other objects of jmy invention,

which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe certain exemplary embodrmerits. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure .1 is 'a perspective view of one type of key case ifi OI'J'il position.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the back or hinge side of the case.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank for a frame device which I may use inside my case.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the frame with the parts bent into final operative position.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the case in open position with one key retained therein and another presented for use. I

'Ffigur'eois a perspective view of the closed case with 2.- key presented i6? use.

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the case with both keys in the inside position.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a type of key connecting chain which I may use.

Figure 9 is an elevational View of a type of connector whereby a key may be engaged with the chain.

Figure 10 is a'partial sectional view showing a key attached to a key connecting chain.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another type of case in the open position.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the same case in closed position.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing open case, one key being inside and the other outside.

Figure 14 is a plan view of a key connecting chain and another type of means whereby a chain may be engaged with the key.

Figure 15 is a partial sectional view showing the same elements in engagement with a key.

Figure 16 is a rear elevational view of a case showing a spring construction.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of an open case showing another type of key retaining element and anchoring means.

While the utility of my invention is not so limited, I shall describe it as a holder for keys of an automobile. In common practice the automobile is provided with'two keys, one serving for the ignition and the automobile doors, and. the other serving special purposes, such as the locking of the trunk, the glovecompartment, and the like. The first mentioned key is the one most frequently used in the operation of an auto mobile.

While my case may be constructed to hold a larger number of keys, I shall describe it in a form designed to hold the two keys just mentioned.

In the practice of my invention I provide a hinged case consisting of a top andbottom, spring actuated to the closed position. The dimensions of the case are made as small as is consistent with the acceptance of the keys, preferably in nested position. In this way the case may be made very small and convenient to carry in the pocket. Referring to Figure 1, I have shown a metal bottom portion l, and a metal top portion 2, both of tray shape, articulated together by a hinge construction 3. The hinge construction is int'errupted to provide space for a coiled spring 4 iid, as-shown in Figure 2, the ends of this coil spring engage "rear portions of the base and top,

as at 5 and 6, urging the case to the closed position. At points marked 1 and 8, I prefer to turn inwardly or indent the edges of the case slightly to provide means for engagement by the thumb or thumb nail, so that the case may be opened against the tension of the spring in a one-hand operation. End portions of the case are notched as at 9 to provide a passageway for the key-retaining chain and permit closing of case with one or more keys in the outside position.

In the bottom of the type of case thus far described, I preferably employ a frame member |a of metal. The blank for this frame member is shown in Figure 3. It comprises side bar portions I0 and II and end bar portions I2 and I3.

At one end of each of the side bar portions 1' have shown ears |4 designed to be bent into anchoring means for key retaining chains. A spring finger I5 is made integral with the side bar I0 and projects toward the opposite side bar II.

In Figure 4 I have shown the blank formed into final shape. The side bars l8 and II have been bent at right angles to the plane of the blank, and the ears |4 have been formed into the aforesaid anchoring means for a ball-type chain. The frame member we is placed in the bottom traylike portion I of the case. The side bar It! engages beneath the hinge 3, while the side bar I! engages beneath the indented portion 1. The frame is thus firmly held within the bottom of the case.

While other means may be used, I prefer to employ ball-type chains as my key retaining elements. These chains are pleasing in appearance and have the advantage that they do not kink. A section of such chain is shown at H5 in Figure 8.

It is necessary to provide a non-bulky means for the attachment of the chain to the key. One way of accomplishing this is through the use of a dome-shaped member shown in Figure 9. This member has a lower peripheral flan e l8 and is cut, as at l9, so that a chain may be engaged with it by positioning one of the balls inside the dome-shaped body, with a ball connecting means passing through the slot Hi. When this engagement has been effected, a washer 20 shown in section in Figure 10 may be slipped over the chain, whereupon the chain may be passed through the perforation in a key 2|. In this way I have provided a connector which is not substantially greater in dimension than the thickness of the key plus the thickness of the chain.

When a key has been fastened to a chain in this fashion, the other end of the chain may be connected to one of the sockets or anchorages 14, as will be clear from Figures 5 and '7. In the first of these figures, I have shown a key 22 (which may be thought of as the key for the trunk and glove compartments) located in the bottom portion of my case and held in place by the spring finger l5. The other key 2| is shown outside the case in a position for use. In Figure '7 both keys are shown located inside the case.

With the keys in this position and the case closed, it is a simple matter to open the case and secure the key most frequently used. The thumb nail is engaged in the indentations and 8, forcing the top and bottom of the case apart. The case is then further opened by the thumb and fingers, and the key 2| is thrown outside by a simple flipping motion. The top of the case may then be released by the fingers whereupon the spring -4 will act to close it, leaving the key 2| outside, its chain |6 passing through one of the notches 9 in the case edges. This permits the case to close as shown in Figure 6, with the key 2| outside and in a position for use.

My case may also be employed to hold such articles as a drivers license or the like. This, when folded to a proper size to go inside my case, may be placed beneath the key 22 and the spring finger |5. For protection it may be covered, if desired, with a sheet of celluloid, acetate sheeting or the like. It will be retained in the case, until withdrawn for use, by the spring finger l5, whether or not the key 22 is in the position shown in Figure 5. Normally the key 22 is also retained by the spring finger l5, so that the flipping motion practiced when opening the case is effective only in bringing the key 2| into the outside position for use. My key case is thus well adapted for the selection of the desired key in the dark or in conditions of insufficient illumination. The key 2| is the one most frequently desired; but should the key 22 be desired,,it may readily be disengaged from the spring finger l5 after the key 2| has been flipped out of the case and is therefore out of the way. All of this may be done in darkness.

By varying the dimensions of my key case it may be made to contain a larger number of keys, and spring fingers similar to l5 may be provided for all of them except the one most frequently used.

In Figures 11 to 15 inclusive I have shown another form of key case designed for minimum dimensions. I have provided a metallic bottom 23 and a metallic top 24 articulated together by means of hinge 25. The edges and corners of the top and bottom members are rounded for appearance and convenience. A coiled spring 26 surrounds the pintle of the hinge and has ends engaging the rear side edges of the cover member 24 and bottom member 23. A second spring 26a is arranged coaxial with the first. It has an end portion engaging the rear side edge of the bottom member 23; and its other end is prolonged as at 21 and lies within the bottom member 23. There it serves as the spring finger for retaining one of the keys as well as a means for retaining the drivers license and such other papers as the case may contain.

Anchorage sockets 28 and 29 for the key engaging chains may be fastened directly to the bottom member 23 of the case, as by soldering or riveting. Again, the front side edges of the top and bottom members of the case are rolled or turned slightly inwardly, as at 30 and 3|, to permit one-hand operation. The end members of the case are notched as at 32 to provide for the passage of the chains when the case is in closed position. Figure 12 shows the case in that position, while Figure 13 shows it opened with one key out and in a position for use while the other key is engaged by the spring finger 27.

In Figures 14 and 15 I have shown another means for fastening keys to the respective chains. The chain is indicated at 33. The final ball on one end is engaged within the body of the domeshaped element34, notched as at 35 to permit this engagement. A loop-shaped element 36 of spring wire has an end turned outwardly as at 38, and another end 31 which is formed into a ring hinged in a perforation in the element 34. When the loop-shaped wire member is passed through the hole in a key 39, as shown in Figure 15, the outturned end 38 may be engaged in another perforation near the open end of the "domes,

shaped element 34. This connector is still less bulky than the one previously described and has the further advantage of being able to lie substantially in the plane of key 39.

Yet another form of case is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. There is a top member 49 and a bottom member 4| hinged together as at 42. Again the hinge is interrupted to provide for a coil spring 43 surrounding the pintle and having end portions 44 and 45 engaging rear edge portions of the top and bottom members, and an adjacent spring 46 having an end portion 41 engaging the rear edge of the bottom member, an inner prolonged end 48 which forms a spring finger for engaging a key 49. Front edges of the case may be indented as at 50 and for the purpose hereinabove described. Notches are also provided as at 52 for the passage ofthe key retaining means.

The case of Figures 16 and 17 is made of plastic, preferably transparent. This has the advantage of providing a structure through which the drivers license or other enclosed papers may be seen without opening the case.

Another form of key retaining means is illustrated in Figure 17. It comprises a safety pin fastener 53 for engaging the key, and wire connecting elements 54 and 55 which have heads engaged within a ball 56. The latter of these wire connecting elements has an end formed into a loop and, in the embodiment shown this loop surrounds and is held in place by the hinge pintle 51, the adjacent portion of the bottom element being notched to permit this engagement as indicated at 58. It will be noted that the illustrated key retaining means in Figure 17 is similar in form to the so-called fishermans swivel.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. The cases may be decorated in any way desired, and may also be made of or coated with precious metals. Having thus described my invention in certain exemplary embodiments, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination in a key container for the purposes described, a case comprising top and bottom portions hinged together, interior means at each end of the case for the attachment of key retaining elements of a length to permit keys to be readily flipped out of said case and returned, end portions of said case being notched to permit the passage of the elements therethrough with the case in closed position, spring means normally urging the parts of said case to closed position, and a spring finger within said case extending outwardly from a wall of said case and adapted to engage a key between its lower surface and'the bottom wall of said case and retain it in position.

2. In combination in a key container for the purposes described, a case having top and bottom portions hinged together, interior means at each end of the case for the attachment of key retaining chains, end portions of said case being notched to permit the passage of the chains therethrough with the case in closed position, spring means normally urging the parts of said case to closed position, and a spring finger for engaging a key within said case and retaining it in position, said spring finger comprising a coiled spring coaxial with the spring means urging said case to closed position.

3. In combination in a key container for the purposes described, a case having top and bottom portions hinged together, interior means at each end of the case for the attachment of key retaining chains, end portions of said case being notched to permit the passage of the chains therethrough with the case in closed position, spring means normally urging the parts of said case to closed position, a spring finger for engaging a keywithin said case and retaining it in position, said spring finger comprising a coiled spring coaxial with the spring means urging said case to closed position, and said case having all outer edge portions of rounded conformation.

4. In combination in a key container for the purposes described, a case having top and bottom portions hinged together, interior means at each end of the case for the attachment of key retaining chains, end portions of said case being notched to permit the passage of the chains therethrough with the case in closed position, spring means normally urging the parts of said case to closed position, a spring finger for engaging a key within said case and retaining it in position, said spring finger comprising a coiled spring coaxial with the spring means urging said case to closed position, the outer edge portions of said case being of rounded conformation, and with meeting edge portions of said case opposite the spring means being indented inwardly to facilitate opening said case.

LAWRENCE F. OT'IEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 579,423 Cleveland Mar. 23, 1897 1,465,759 Dey Aug. 21, 1923 1,549,244 Clevenger Aug. 11, 1925 1,650,505 Gagnon Nov. 22, 1927 1,652,112 Gagnon Dec. 6, 1927 1,716,267 Gagnon June 4, 1929 2,219,983 Evenson Oct. 29, 1940 2,228,726 Loesch Jan. 14, 1941 2,291,896 Henderson Aug. 4, 1942 2,479,524 Tarbox Aug. 16, 1949 

